Trouble getting updates and computer won't shut down

[art]

When I go to Microsoft update and the the blue bar indicates that they are
checking for updates for my computer - the blue bar goes on and on - it never
retrieves the updates. And I often have troubles turning off my computer.
It hangs up as the screen says Windows is shutting down.

I have a Sony Viao laptop, Trend Micro Anti-Virus, and run System Mechanic
regularly. Recently, I had a trojan virus that my kid picked up on MySpace.
I was able to get rid of it, and have run every Malware program and my
computer seems to be clean. I am faithful about keeping abreast of updates
as well. Any ideas?

 

[Thee Chicago Wolf]

When I go to Microsoft update and the the blue bar indicates that they are

checking for updates for my computer - the blue bar goes on and on - it never
retrieves the updates. And I often have troubles turning off my computer.
It hangs up as the screen says Windows is shutting down.

I have a Sony Viao laptop, Trend Micro Anti-Virus, and run System Mechanic
regularly. Recently, I had a trojan virus that my kid picked up on MySpace.
I was able to get rid of it, and have run every Malware program and my
computer seems to be clean. I am faithful about keeping abreast of updates
as well. Any ideas?

Do you already have SP3 installed yet? If not, I recommend downloading
the full install file, reboot, and install it in safe mode.

For your shutdown issues, try the following:

Go to Start > Run and enter REGEDIT and press OK. This fires up the
registry editor.

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop. Edit the
following keys:

1) AutoEndTasks: Default is 0, make it 1

You can also try the following settings under the same branch:

2) ForegroundLockTimeout: Default is 20000, make it 0

3) HungAppTimeoutefault is 5000, try 1000, if it's still slow, try
500. I don't suggest going anything lower than 250 though as it could
really make programs / services that need a momentd or two to end
act...funny.

4) WaitToKillAppTimeout: Default is 20000, try 1000, if it's still
slow, try 500. I don't suggest going anything lower than 250 though as
it could really make programs / services that need a moment or two to
end act...funny.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control

1) WaitToKillServiceTimeout: Default is 20000, try 2000. I don't use
this setting personally and it's questionable whether XP supports it
or not.

When you finish, reboot. Log into XP and then do a shutdown and see
how long it take.

If some of the keys above don't exists, just create them using the
right mouse button.

#1 is a String Value
#2 is DWORD value
#3 is a String value
#4 is a String value

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

...Recently, I had a trojan virus that my kid picked up on MySpace.

I was able to get rid of it, and have run every Malware program and my
computer seems to be clean.

I'd say that you have much more work to do, Art.

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

2. Run this online scan (in safe mode w/networking, if need be):
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run additional checks for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis
log to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjuction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or another appropriate forum for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
=====================
Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with
security updates.